Dear Fellow Clallam County Bar Association Members and Friends:
Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the holiday party last Thursday night. We had a great turnout and collected a big box of children’s toys, games, clothing, and other gifts for donation to Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers. Pro Bono Executive Director Nancy Rohde accepted delivery of the gifts on Friday.
Thursday night we also welcomed incoming 2012 president Simon Barnhart to the beginning of his term. Additionally, members unanimously elected Derek Medina as the 2013 president-elect. Congratulations to both of them. Their leadership and dedication will ensure the success and positive growth of this organization for many years to come.
As my term comes to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank several people for their help this past year. Immediate past president Will Payne handed me a financially sound and well-organized association. He, along with the following individuals, also contributed their time and knowledge to teaching CLE courses for our benefit: Larry Freedman; Rob Onnen; Judge Rick Porter; Donna Knifsend; Harry Schneider Jr.; Joe McMillan; Dr. Joshua Jones; Jacques Dulin; Jean Rickerson; Judge Ken Williams; Ted Ripley; Sok-Khieng Lim; and Andrew Buffington. Collectively, these presenters helped attendees earn 8.25 general credits and 3 ethics credits from the WSBA. Voluntary contributions collected for Pro Bono during those CLE courses totaled nearly $4,700.00. I especially want to recognize Nancy Rohde’s efforts for one of those events in particular. Last May she put together a truly memorable Law Day celebration for all of us, bringing in speakers from the Seattle law firm of Perkins Coie to share their story of historical pro bono representation.
CCBA members Selinda Barkhuis, Carol Mortensen, and Cliff Tassie are also deserving of special recognition for organizing Clallam Legal last month. While the event was not sponsored by the CCBA, it allowed our members to earn six CLE credits from the WSBA and also raised approximately $8,000.00 for Pro Bono. Thanks also to Mark Baumann for posting association news on his independently operated website, ClallamCountyBar.com.
Dues contributed to the association this past year helped fund five $750.00 scholarships to deserving 2011 graduates of Port Angeles High School. Additionally, members of the association also voted to contribute $750.00 to the local Youth and Government program so that high school students on the Olympic Peninsula could participate in Youth Legislature and Mock Trial. Thanks to all of you for helping to make those contributions possible.
Prior to concluding this message I would also like to extend additional and sincere appreciation to our longtime treasurer, Cliff Tassie. Cliff is often humorously referred to as the association’s “treasurer for life,” but the fact of the matter is that year after year he continues to perform a vitally important function for all of us. Presidents come and go with the passing of each calendar year but Cliff remains, working to ensure that our books are balanced, our dues are collected, and that money is available to contribute to those people and entities who we find deserving. For that, all of us owe him our gratitude.
It has been my pleasure to be of service to the association this past year. I extend my best wishes to each of you for a very happy holiday season and a prosperous and rewarding new year.
Sincerely,
Chris Koenig
2011 CCBA President